Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-08-19

When the pioneers came TO Marietta there
were n number of formidable Indian tribes in
the Northwest Territory. The best known
were the Delawares, Mohawks Wyandots,
Shawnees, Senecas, Chippewas, ottawas, Mi
amis, Pottawatamies and Sacs, the last five be-
ing the bodies known as the five nations that
made the treaty of peace in 1850.
But treaties with Indians could not be relied
upon and General Putnam set to work to build
stout fort or stockade for the protection of
the settlers. 1t was situated n few hundred
ieet from the east bank of the Muskingum riv-
er, nearly mile from its confluence with the
Ohio.
Mrs. Alderman has, I believe, prescribed
boundaries for the stockadc that do not coin
eide with the commonly accepted ones; how
ever that Is not serious error II II is one at ALL
The precise location to the inch of the line on
which stood the walls of an old fort long since
removed is not a salient point OF history.
The stockade at Marietta was one OF the best
deienses on tho frontier. Its outer walls were
two-story log houses, built closely together and
opening into court one hundred and forty feet
square. Each angle of the fort was protected
bya block-house and tower which was used as
an outlook.
During times Of Indian hostities the families
OF the settlers sought shelter and safety In the
stockade, and the troops and officers of the
Territory were also quartered there.
One OF the corner buildings was occupied by
Governor Arthur St, Clair and family.
one apartment was used for store-room, an
other for holding religious services, one for
court or other public exercises.
In this building the first Sunday-school was
organized and taught. The teacher and leading
spirit was Mary Lake, one Of the heroic figures
oi early times.
The stockade recalls an interesting train of
memories and associations. Within its walls
the first permanently organized lodge of Free
Masons In the West held its meetings. The
title OF the lodge is the American Union Lodge.
II was first organized in temporary way in
l7s3, by officers of the Revolutionary army, and
its place of meeting shifted as the troops here
moved from place 10 place. In 1890 a number
of the old army officers who had been members
of this lodge during the war found themselves
ut Marietta, 80 the lodge was reorganized In the
stockade at Marietta.
strong garrison was kept under strict dis.
cipline In the stockade for the four years pre-
ceding General Wayne's victory over the In
dians. The defenses were SO excellent at Mari
eta and the vigilance so great that compare
lively few persons were killed by the Indians.
The cost for defending the colony at Marietta
during these four years was Sl4,1Ss02.
Shortly after the settlement at Marietta one
was made at Belpre, twelve miles south on the
Ohio river The Belpre colony was protected
by three defenses, the most important OF which
was called Farmers Castle. This fort was built
upon high bank opposite the upper or north
ern end OF Blennerhassetts Island.
The settlement at Belpre was made like the
one ~ Marietta, and was in d way an onshoot
oft The fort had garrison under rigid mill.
lhhing schools ard holding religious services.
On Sunday The people were Sug,moned "
ts3ss b wv heating VI tAe drum ''-'''